Church Ambassador Network of South Carolina
”The power of influence in the State House is through the Church House.”
—Dr. Steve Pettit
Our Vision
To see a thriving partnership between government and church leaders that will lead to God’s blessing on South Carolina.
Government is one of three institutions God created to order and bless human civilization. And just like the other two institutions—church and family—when government fulfills its God-given design, it is a blessing for our good and His glory.
This happens when governing authorities see who they are called to be in Christ and see the Church as a primary resource for community needs.
The church, specifically, is equipped to provide solutions to personal and community problems the government cannot adequately solve alone. Thus, the government needs a proper, working partnership with the church.
The partnership begins…with bringing shepherds of the church into relationship with the shepherds of government.
Our Strategy
Inspire pastors to engage in shepherd-to-shepherd relationships.
We exist to make that connection.
The Church Ambassador Network of South Carolina exists to connect the shepherds of the church with the shepherds of government. Pastors are uniquely equipped to point our government leaders to Christ, fill the Capitol with the Lord’s teaching, and partner with government leaders to solve the problems facing our community.
To be truly transformational, shepherds-to-shepherds relationships must bring upon common ground, where the shepherds can relate to one another in three ways:
As People
Both are ordinary individuals, made in God’s image, placed in an extraordinary position.
As Shepherds
Both lead an institution of God’s and must therefore look to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, for success and reward.
As Partners
Both are uniquely equipped to meet community needs in different ways, but in similar areas of interest (i.e., poverty, mental health, foster care, etc.).
Our Process
The Church Ambassador Network connects pastors to government for Gospel transformation at four levels:
Local: Bringing together church and government leaders from the same region, where both kinds of shepherds share care for their communities.
Relational: Welcoming pastors to the State House to build personal relationships with government officials and minister God’s Word to the officials’ specific shepherding role.
Theological: Providing teaching and resources that make the Gospel and God’s Word relevant to government-related issues.
Practical: Developing partnerships between church and state to solve key issues facing our communities while lifting up the name of Christ.
Christ Centered
Jesus is the sole means of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration through His work on the Cross and resurrection. We believe transformation happens as people see Christ accurately and rightly value Him. That is why Christ must be at the center of everything we do. It is God’s Word that gives us the most clear and concrete picture of Jesus. Because of this, we aim to exalt God’s Word in everything we do.
Grace-Driven
God’s grace through Jesus Christ changes everything and is the basis and power of our personal lives and ministry. In a place where political battles make grace all the rarer, we aim to be motivated by grace and to joyfully give grace away to one another.
Non-Partisan
Christ does not fit into any political ideology. His Kingdom is an eternal kingdom not of this world. As His ambassadors, it is important that we keep that independent voice. We are not bipartisan, which is allegiance to both sides. Neither are we partisan, which is allegiance to one. We are non-partisan, which is allegiance to no political party.
Relationally Built
We move at the speed of relationship through the Holy Spirit’s leading. We move at the speed of intentional relationships with both the Church and the government. It is in relationships that people share their lives with one another. It is the heart of the Church Ambassador Network to move beyond the surface level and to engage in deeper Christ-centered relationships that lead to changed lives.
Partnership-Minded
Christ created the Church as a diverse body, and He designed both the institution of God’s Church and government. Just as every part of the body is needed, so is each institution. It is the heart of the Church Ambassador Network to build partnerships between churches and between the Church and government to serve people and bring Christ glory.
Prayer-Focused
Our mission is dependent on prayer, knowing God moves through and changes lives through prayer. We pray collectively as the Church that God would move in the heart of “kings”, bring revival to His Church, and reignite its flame for the Gospel and the Great Commission.
Al Phillips
Church Ambassador Network Director
Prior to joining Palmetto Family Council’s staff, Phillips served for over four decades in full time ministry at multiple churches in Spartanburg County including First Baptist of North Spartanburg, First Baptist Church of Arcadia and Ben Avon Baptist Church. Since 2015, he served as the Director of Missions for the Greenville Baptist Association until his retirement in late January 2025.
Phillips earned a BA in 1979 from the University of South Carolina and an MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1983.
Phillips and his wife, Rose, reside in Campobello and are active members of Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Taylors.